PDAi Set to Honour SUBEB Chairman Dr. Grace Adagba as One of Benue’s Top Performing Political Leaders

  

  By Genesis Ogiri | FCT – Abuja | June 7, 2025

...Salute to Leadership Per Excellence in Basic Education Reform

In what has been described as a powerful testament to visionary leadership and people-focused governance, the Peace and Development for Africa Initiative (PDAi) is set to confer a prestigious honour on Dr. Grace Adagba, Executive Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), for her outstanding contributions to the transformation of the education sector in Benue State.

The award, which recognizes Top Performing Political Leaders in Subnational Governance, will be presented at a high-level civic recognition event with attendees from civil society, diplomatic circles, and key government institutions across Nigeria and the African continent.

In a time when public trust in governance is at a critical juncture across Africa, the emergence of bold, competent, and reform-driven leaders has become a beacon of hope for millions. One such figure is Dr. Grace Adagba, a woman whose tenure in Benue State’s political space is fast becoming a reference point for transformational leadership and inclusive governance.

Since her appointment as the Chairman of Benue SUBEB, Dr. Adagba has not merely managed an agency—she has redefined the strategic value of basic education in Benue’s development agenda. Her tenure has been marked by an unprecedented push for transparency, digital innovation, equity, and infrastructure expansion, all aimed at delivering quality education to every child, regardless of geography or background.

With a leadership style built on competence, community engagement, and accountability, she has succeeded in turning SUBEB into one of the most active and results-oriented public institutions in the state.

Key Achievements Under Her Leadership

Dr. Adagba led the introduction of Computer-Based Tests (CBT) for the recruitment of teachers—a first in the state’s history—thereby ensuring that only the most qualified candidates are selected based on merit, not political patronage.

Under her directive, SUBEB implemented a digitized payroll and verification system that eliminated ghost workers and guaranteed timely payment of salaries, reinforcing financial discipline in public education.

She institutionalized digital data audits, enabling the board to make evidence-based decisions in planning, budgeting, and resource allocation—enhancing both efficiency and impact.

The establishment of the Benue State Digital Resource Centre is one of the cornerstones of her legacy, offering e-learning tools, teacher retraining programs, and ICT-driven educational resources, especially to underserved communities.

With strategic partnerships and state funding, she facilitated the construction of new classrooms, installation of solar power, and drilling of boreholes in hard-to-reach schools—improving access to both education and essential services like electricity and water.

Dr. Adagba broke new ground by introducing multi-level classroom buildings in public schools, a bold response to overcrowding and a visible sign of modernization in the state’s educational infrastructure.

She developed citizen engagement platforms including a functional SUBEB Help Desk and social media portals, giving parents and communities real-time access to policy updates, service delivery status, and feedback mechanisms.

Her leadership provided critical support to students who participated in and won the 2025 Presidential Schools Debate in Jakarta, Indonesia, elevating Benue’s reputation as a center of academic excellence.

According to PDAi’s Executive Director, Amb. Ibrahim Olaniyi, the selection of Dr. Adagba for this year’s honour is a result of independent monitoring, field assessments, and public feedback.

 “Dr. Grace Adagba exemplifies the future of governance in Nigeria—where policy meets performance, and leadership is grounded in service delivery. Her work in Benue SUBEB has set a new standard for education boards across Nigeria,” he remarked.

He further emphasized that PDAi’s goal in bestowing this honour is to encourage other political and administrative leaders to emulate her courage, innovation, and deep sense of duty to public good.

Though Dr. Adagba operates within the bureaucratic bounds of a state board, her leadership has echoed far beyond education circles. Analysts argue that her consistent results, policy depth, and political discipline are shaping her as a rising star in Benue’s political landscape—one with potential to play higher roles in governance and national development.

With the youth demography, women’s groups, educationists, and development stakeholders rallying behind her, she is increasingly seen as a credible symbol of leadership per excellence in a generation eager for reform and results.

Reacting to the honour, Dr. Grace Adagba expressed heartfelt gratitude to the PDAi and the people of Benue State:

“This honour reflects what we have achieved together as a state. I dedicate it to the thousands of teachers, students, parents, and community leaders who believe in the vision of inclusive and quality basic education. We are not where we want to be yet—but we are far from where we started,” she said.

Her words underscore a critical leadership trait: the ability to look beyond personal accolades and recognize the collective spirit of public service

As Nigeria navigates turbulent political waters, economic challenges, and an urgent need for educational reform, leaders like Dr. Grace Adagba stand out as reminders that effective leadership is not a myth—it is a mandate.

Her impending honour by the Peace and Development for Africa Initiative is more than a ceremonial gesture. It is a reaffirmation of the power of visionary leadership, structured reforms, and people-first governance. And as Benue State continues to chart its development path, the work of Dr. Adagba offers a blueprint for what is possible when leaders lead with purpose.